Be a Tourist campaign targets locals

Victoria is a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. But this month, the Capital Region’s biggest attractions will be catering to the locals.

Attraction Victoria’s Be a Tourist in Your Hometown campaign runs from Feb. 26 to March 1, and offers many activities at discounts or free of charge with the purchase of a playbook for $12.50.

“The purpose of the campaign is to be able to give back to the community to show them that tourism is not just about tourists, it sometimes is about locals,” said David Robert, general manager of the Butterfly Gardens and vice-chair of Attractions Victoria. “This allows people to get out at a reasonable cost.”

Attractions in the playbook include activities such as free admission to Butchart Gardens, free admission to Victoria Butterfly Gardens, 20 per cent off Harbour Air flights, 50 per cent off whale watching, discounts on local hotels and many more.

Profits from the Be a Tourist campaign go toward promoting Victoria tourism in Washington, Oregon and Vancouver.

“[We’re] letting people know that this is the place you want to come,” said Robert.